Phalaenopsis orchid plant named ‘FLOR352635’

ABSTRACT

A new and distinct Phalaenopsis plant named ‘FLOR352635’ particularly characterized by flowers which are yellow with a white haze in the center; plants which may be propagated economically and uniformly using tissue culture; plants which produce more than one inflorescence; long and sturdy inflorescences; and relatively short, dark-green foliage.

Latin name of the genus and species of the plant claimed: Phalaenopsishybrida.

Variety denomination: ‘FLOR352635’.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a new and distinct cultivar ofPhalaenopsis plant, botanically known as Phalaenopsis of the Orchidaceaefamily, and hereinafter referred to by the cultivar name ‘FLOR352635’.

Phalaenopsis comprises a genus of about 55 species of herbaceousperennials many of which, or the hybrids thereof, are suitable forcultivation in the home or greenhouse. Phalaenopsis is predominantlyepiphytic or rock-dwelling, and is native to tropical Asia, the MalayArchipelago, and Oceania. The species typically has 2-ranked, fleshy,oblong or elliptic leaves affixed to a short central stem (monopodialgrowth), which vary in size from 5 to 8 inches to over 2 feet. Theleaves may be entirely green or mottled with silver grey.

Phalaenopsis orchids, often referred to as ‘Moth Orchids’ in thehorticultural trade, are frequently used to furnish cut flowers for theflorist trade or sold as flowering potted-plants for home orinteriorscape.

Phalaenopsis produces upright or pendent lateral racemes, often withmany showy flowers which open in succession beginning with thelowermost. The flowers possess three sepals and three petals; thelateral ones being alike. The lowermost petal, called the labellum, isthree-lobed and is often more brightly-colored than the other flowersegments. Flower colors include various shades of pink, white, yellowand red-brown.

Phalaenopsis orchids are typically propagated from seeds. Asexualpropagation of Phalaenopsis is often done from off-shoots whichfrequently arise from the lower bracts of the inflorescence. Theresulting plants are detached from the mother plant and may be plantedin a suitable substrate.

The new Phalaenopsis ‘FLOR352635’ is a product of a controlled breedingprogram conducted by the inventor, René Schoone, in Strengweg,Heemskerk, The Netherlands. The objective of the breeding program was todevelop a new Phalaenopsis cultivar particularly characterized by itsattractive and unique colored flowers, economical propagation via tissueculture, rapid growth, and a plant dimension suitable for packaging andshipping to the market.

The new Phalaenopsis ‘FLOR352635’ originated from a cross made by theinventor in 2004 in Strengweg, Heemskerk, The Netherlands. The female orseed parent is the Phalaenopsis cultivar designated (Brother Stage xSogo Lisa), unpatented. The male or pollen parent is the Phalaenopsiscultivar designated ‘Brother Key Largo’, unpatented. The newPhalaenopsis ‘FLOR352635’ was discovered and selected by the inventor asa single flowering plant within the progeny of the stated cross in acontrolled environment in 2011 in Strengweg, Heemskerk, The Netherlands.

Asexual reproduction of the new Phalaenopsis cultivar by tissue culture(mericloning) was first performed in July, 2012 in Cieweg 13, Heemskerk,The Netherlands, and has demonstrated that the combination ofcharacteristics as herein disclosed for the new cultivar are firmlyfixed and retained through successive generations of asexualreproduction. The new cultivar asexually reproduces true-to-type.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The following traits have been repeatedly observed and are determined tobe unique characteristics of ‘FLOR352635’, which in combinationdistinguish this Phalaenopsis as a new and distinct cultivar:

-   -   1. flowers which are yellow with a white haze in the center;    -   2. plant produces more than one inflorescence;    -   3. plants may be propagated economically and uniformly using        tissue culture;    -   4. inflorescences are long and sturdy; and    -   5. relatively short, dark-green foliage.        In comparison with the parental cultivars of ‘FLOR352635’, the        female parent (Brother Stage x Sogo Lisa) is yellow/green with        red/purple stripes and some red/purple in the labellum, the male        parent ‘Brother Key Largo’ is white, whereas the flowers of        ‘FLOR352635’ are yellow with a white haze in the center.        Presently, the commercial cultivar to which ‘FLOR352635’ can be        meaningfully compared is ‘Sunshower. The flowers of ‘Sunshower’        are lighter yellow and the shape of the flower and labellum        differs.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE PHOTOGRAPHS

The accompanying photographs illustrate the overall appearance of thenew Phalaenopsis ‘FLOR352635’ showing the colors as true as isreasonably possible with colored reproductions of this type. Colors inthe photographs may differ slightly from the color values cited in thedetailed botanical description, which accurately describe the color of‘FLOR352635’.

FIG. 1 shows a side view perspective of a typical flowering plant of‘FLOR352635’ in a 12 cm pot, at 16 months of age.

FIG. 2 shows a close-up view of the typical flower of ‘FLOR352635’.

FIG. 3 shows a close-up view of the typical leaves of ‘FLOR352635’.

DETAILED BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION

The new Phalaenopsis cultivar ‘FLOR352635’ has not been observed underall possible environmental conditions. The phenotype of the new cultivarmay vary with variations in environment such as temperature, lightintensity, and day length without any change in the genotype of theplant.

The aforementioned photographs, together with the followingobservations, measurements and values describe plants of ‘FLOR352635’ asgrown in a greenhouse in Strengweg, Heemskerk, The Netherlands, underconditions which closely approximate those generally used in commercialpractice. Initially, the ideal temperature to grow plants of‘FLOR352635’ is 27° C. during the day and at night. Then, during theflowering phase of ‘FLOR352635’, the ideal growing temperature is 20-22°C. during the day and 18° C. at night. Light levels for growing‘FLOR352635’ are a minimum of 5,000 lux and a maximum of 10,000 lux. Abalanced fertilizer with level of 200 ppm N, 87 ppm P, 168 ppm K isapplied. Duration of growth of ‘FLOR352635’ from potting size is between10 and 14 months.

Color references are made to The Royal Horticultural Society ColourChart (R.H.S.), 2007 edition, except where general colors of ordinarysignificance are used. Color values were taken under daylight conditionsat approximately noon in Zaandammerweg, Assendelft, The Netherlands. Theage of the ‘FLOR352635’ plants described is 12 months after potting.

-   Classification:    -   -   Botanical.—Phalaenopsis hybrida.-   Parentage:    -   -   Female or seed parent.—Phalaenopsis cultivar designated            (Brother Stage x Sogo Lisa), unpatented.        -   Male or pollen parent.—Phalaenopsis cultivar designated            ‘Brother Key Largo’, unpatented.-   Propagation:    -   -   Type.—Tissue culture.        -   Rooting habit and description.—Fleshy; approximately 4 mm-6            mm wide and greyed/green in color (RHS 190B); freely            branching. It takes 12 weeks for plants growing in tissue            culture to initiate roots.-   Plant:    -   -   Size at maturity.—Height (from bottom of pot to highest            flower): About 60 cm. Spread: about 50 cm.        -   Growth habit.—Standard; green leaves (RHS N137A) and a            relatively normal raceme.        -   Vigor.—Moderate.        -   Crop time.—Following asexual propagation, at about 26 weeks            2 leaves appear; at about 30 weeks 3-4 leaves appear; after            a cold treatment of about 4-8 weeks at a temperature of            about 19° C. about 1-3 racemes with flowers appear.-   Foliage:    -   -   Quantity per plant.—About 6 leaves are produced before            flowering.        -   Arrangement and attachment.—Alternate,clasping.        -   Overall shape of leaf.—Oval; the tip is blunt and            asymmetric.        -   Texture (upper & underside).—Smooth and leathery.        -   Pubescence.—None.        -   Mature leaf length.—About 21 cm.        -   Mature leaf width.—About 9 cm.        -   Mature leaf thickness.—About 2 mm.        -   Mature leaf color.—Upper side: green (RHS N137A). Under            side: green (RHS 137A).        -   Leaf base.—Acute.        -   Margin.—Entire.        -   Venation.—Pattern: parallel. Color of midvein: upper side:            green (RHS N136A). under side: green (RHS N137C).-   Inflorescence description:    -   -   Appearance.—Upright to slightly pendant, racemose            inflorescence with bilaterally symmetrical flowers that open            in succession beginning with the lowermost flower.-   Raceme:    -   -   Quantity per plant.—About 1-3.        -   Number of flowers per raceme.—About 6-10.        -   Length.—About 35 cm.        -   Diameter.—About 4 mm.-   Peduncle:    -   -   Length.—About 25 cm.        -   Diameter.—About 3-4 mm.        -   Strength.—Strong.        -   Aspect.—Upright.        -   Texture.—Glabrous and smooth.        -   Color.—Green (RHS 137B) with brown (RHS 200B).-   Buds:    -   -   Height (from base to tip).—About 25 mm.        -   Diameter (at midpoint).—About 19 mm.        -   Shape.—Oval with a bump.        -   Color.—Yellow/green (RHS 145A and RHS 145C).        -   Orientation.—Same as flowers (forward facing).-   Flowering time: For an untreated plant (flowering plant that has not    undergone cold-treatment where the plant grows at a temperature of    18° C. to 19° C. for about 4 to 8 weeks after a period of about 30    weeks at a temperature of 25° C.), 1-6 racemes appear with flower    buds and flowers. First flowers can be expected approximately 4 to 6    months after planting a plant with a leaf diameter of 3 to 5 cm.    Flowers persistent.-   Flowering longevity: On the plant: about 4 to 6 months; lastingness    of cut flowers: has not been observed.-   Fragrance: No fragrance.-   Flower:    -   -   Rate of opening.—Flowers fully opened about 2 to 3 days            after petal and sepal separation.        -   Orientation at opening.—Slanted upward and outward.        -   Shape.—Typical shape of Phalaenopsis; see FIG. 2.        -   Size (of single bloom).—Height: about 80-90 mm. Diameter:            about 90-100 mm.        -   Quantity and arrangement.—Three petals and three sepals that            are trimerous, overlapping and arranged in 2 whorls. Petals            are more pronounced than sepals.-   Petals:    -   -   Arrangement.—Inner whorl comprises 3 petals: 2 lateral            petals and a labellum.        -   2 lateral petals.—Overall shape: broadly ovate and weakly            cupped. Apex: round. Margin: entire and weakly undulate.            Base: broadly ovate. Length: about 45 mm. Width: about            42 mm. Texture: Upper surface: smooth and satiny. Under            surface: smooth and satiny. Color (when fully opened): upper            side: yellow (RHS 2C) with at the base some white (RHS            NN155D). Under side: yellow (RHS 2C) with at the base some            white (RHS NN155D). Labellum: Overall shape: 3-lobed with 2            prominent callosities at central junction of the lateral            lobes and base of the midlobe. Lateral lobes of labellum            fold upward about the column; the midlobe extends forward            and is terminated by 2 stubs appendages at the apex. Lateral            lobes of the labellum are ovate in shape while the midlobe            is triangular with a bump and a rib on it. Margin: entire            and weakly undulate. Apex of the midlobe and lateral lobes:            oval. Length midlobe: about 30 mm. Width midlobe (not            flattened): about 20 mm. Length lateral lobe: about 15 mm.            Width lateral lobe (not flattened): about 10 mm. Depth of            tube created by lateral lobes of labellum: about 10 mm.            Texture: Upper & under surface: smooth and satiny. Color            (when fully opened): Midlobe, upper side: main color is            yellow (RHS 3A) which runs into white (RHS NN155D). At the            base some red/purple stripes/spots (RHS 59A). Under side:            white (RHS NN155D) and the sides are yellow (RHS 3A).            Lateral lobes, upper side: main color is yellow (RHS 12A)            with some white (RHS NN155D). At the base red/purple            spots/stripes (RHS 59A). Under side: white (RHS NN155D) and            lower edges are yellow (RHS12A). Cirrhi: about 0.5 cm.            color: white (RHS NN155D). Pestle (Callosities): Length:            about 5 mm. Width (not flattened): about 6 mm. Color: yellow            (RHS 12A) with red/purple stripes/spots (RHS 59A).-   Sepals:    -   -   Arrangement.—Outer whorl comprises 3 sepals, one dorsal and            two lateral sepals.        -   Overall shape.—Elliptical and weakly cupped.        -   Margin.—Entire and weakly undulate.        -   Length.—About 35 mm.        -   Width.—About 30 mm.        -   Apex.—Oval with a notch.        -   Texture.—Upper and under surface: smooth and satiny.        -   Color (when fully opened).—Upper side, dorsal: main color is            yellow (RHS 2C) with a haze of yellow/green (RHS 154C and            RHS 154D). At the base some white (RHS NN155D). Lateral:            main color is yellow (RHS 2C) with a haze of yellow/green            (RHS 154C and RHS 154D). At the base some white (RHS            NN155D). Under side, dorsal: yellow (RHS 2C) with some            yellow/green (RHS 145A and RHS 145B). Lateral: yellow (RHS            2C) with some yellow/green (RHS 145B).-   Pedicel:    -   -   Length.—About 4 cm.        -   Diameter.—About 4 mm.        -   Texture.—Glabrous and smooth.        -   Color.—Yellow/green (RHS 145D and RHS 145A).-   Reproductive organs:-   Arrangement: The stamens, style and stigmas are fused into a single,    short structure called the column, possessing one terminal anther    with pollen grains united into a pollinia, which are covered by an    anther cap. The stigma is located under the column behind the    pollinia. The ovary is inferior with three carpels present. The    plant has not produced seed.-   Column:    -   -   Length.—About 1 cm.        -   Diameter.—About 5 mm.        -   Color.—White (RHS NN155D).-   Pollinia:    -   -   Quantity.—Two.        -   Diameter.—About 3 mm.        -   Color.—Yellow/orange (RHS 23A).-   Ovary:    -   -   Length.—About 5 mm.        -   Diameter.—About 4 mm.        -   Color.—White (RHS NN155D).-   Disease/pest resistance/susceptibility: No specific resistance or    susceptibility observed.-   Temperature tolerance: Tolerant to a low temperature of about 15° C.    and to a high temperature about 30° C.

What is claimed is:
 1. A new and distinct Phalaenopsis plant named‘FLOR352635’, as illustrated and described herein.